The improvements are part of the city’s Vision Zero program, with a goal of eliminating fatal traffic accidents altogether by 2025 via infrastructure upgrades and traffic safety education. Circulate San Diego released a list last April of the city’s 15 most dangerous intersections.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Circulate San Diego Executive Director Colin Parent held a news conference at the last intersection to be fixed, 33rd Street and El Cajon Boulevard, to discuss the improvements, which include higher-visibility crosswalk designation and audible pedestrian signals and countdown timers.

“This is all about making it safer for everyone — drivers, pedestrians and cyclists — as they navigate city streets,” Faulconer said. “Making crosswalks more visible and adding audible walk signals are just a few of the simple yet effective ways we can make our neighborhoods safer.”

Faulconer announced plans to fix more than 300 more accident-prone intersections during his “State of the City” address last month. According to Faulconer’s office, Caltrans has awarded the city roughly $2.45 million for the improvements, which will start next year. City officials expect improvements to the first 50 intersections to be completed by the end of 2020.

The Vision Zero program includes engineering, education and enforcement – collectively referred to as the three “Es.” The city’s efforts are intended to raise awareness about traffic safety, change dangerous behaviors through enforcement efforts, and make safety improvements where fatalities and severe injuries have been shown to occur.

–City News Service

Safety Upgrades Completed at 15 of San Diego’s Most Crash-Prone Intersections was last modified: February 20th, 2019 by Debbie L. Sklar

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